Early Indicator Points to Strong German Recovery

Latest figures from the early indicator of German economic trends from respected business daily Handelsblatt point to an earlier and stronger recovery than previously expected.

The barometer’s April reading stood at 1.4%, an increase on the previous month’s 0.8% and February’s 0.4%.

Estimating the performance of the German economy in three months’ time, the latest readings suggest second-quarter growth of 0.6%, before the pace of expansion quickens in the second half. This could result in full-year growth well above government expectations of 0.7%.

However, such growth will be driven solely by western Germany. The April reading for east Germany stood at minus 0.1, suggesting a continued period of decline for the region after 0.3% contraction last year.

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